Watch: Hamilton is one win away from equalling Schumacher's record at Monza and other stats

Sebastian Vettel can close the gap, or even overhaul it, when he takes on championship leader Lewis Hamilton again this weekend in what should be a supercharged Italian Grand Prix.

On Ferrari’s local track and in front of the tifosi, at the famous old Autodromo Nazionale, the four-time champion German can also equal Stirling Moss’s 1950s record of winning at Monza with three different teams if he delivers Ferrari’s first home win since 2010.

Monza holds special memories for Vettel after his wins with Toro Rosso in 2008 and then Red Bull in 2011 and 2013. His maiden win in torrential rain a decade ago remains Toro Rosso’s greatest hour and the moment that signalled he was a future champion.

Another victory this weekend would draw him level with Hamilton on four wins and, if the Briton suffers ill fortune, could also catapult Vettel into the lead of the drivers’ championship.

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Sebastian Vettel ready to haul in Lewis Hamilton on Ferrari's home soil

Sebastian Vettel can close the gap, or even overhaul it, when he takes on championship leader Lewis Hamilton again this weekend in what should be a supercharged Italian Grand Prix.

Just days after his convincing victory in Belgium, where Hamilton admitted his Mercedes was “blown away” by the power and straight-line speed of Vettel’s Ferrari, Vettel should enjoy the scarlet scuderia’s homecoming.

On Ferrari’s local track and in front of the tifosi, at the famous old Autodromo Nazionale, the four-time champion German can also equal Stirling Moss’s 1950s record of winning at Monza with three different teams if he delivers Ferrari’s first home win since 2010.

Monza holds special memories for Vettel after his wins with Toro Rosso in 2008 and then Red Bull in 2011 and 2013. His maiden win in torrential rain a decade ago remains Toro Rosso’s greatest hour and the moment that signalled he was a future champion.

Another victory this weekend would draw him level with Hamilton on four wins and, if the Briton suffers ill fortune, could also catapult Vettel into the lead of the drivers’ championship.

Hamilton, who has been on pole at Monza for the last four years and five in six, is ahead by 17 points, but it is Vettel who has the confidence and momentum.

“I think we’ve done everything right at Spa, but I think it’s a huge compliment if people praise our engine now because for the last five years people didn’t praise anything other than Mercedes engines,” said Vettel.

“Now, we have a good car that seems to work everywhere so, hopefully, we can carry that momentum and speed to Monza.”

“It’s nice to have a change and I think all this makes Maranello and all the Ferraristi and our engine department very happy.”

Vettel has finished on the podium at Monza three times as a Ferrari driver – second in 2015 and third in 2016 and 2017 – and said he has cherished the atmosphere as the fans invade the track.

“If you are dressed in the right colour – which I am – then I think Monza is always an absolute highlight,” added Vettel. “As a racing driver, I don’t think it gets any better than that.

“There are so many families and support from our own people there, but the main thing obviously is all the fans, the Ferrari fans.”

A Ferrari win this weekend would not only reinforce their charge toward the title, but also end four years of Mercedes domination at the fastest track on the F1 calendar.

A Vettel victory would further deflate Hamilton’s bid for a fifth title as the defending champion conceded in Belgium where he said.

“The next race, with the kind of performance they have on straights, we might struggle to match them.”

Hamilton’s concerns are not shared by his Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff.

“Spa was always a bit of a tricky one for us,” he told reporters. “Monza was a good one. So I am very curious to see how it’s going to go — last year we were very much in control of the whole weekend and Ferrari had their worst of the season. So, performance-wise, I’m not worried.”

Vettel: The German has been playing catch up on his rival, with three wins, the last of which came five years ago with Red Bull. The Italian marque, remarkably, have not tasted success at their home race since Fernando Alonso in 2010.

Other drivers: Alonso has won twice (2007 and 2010), but is unlikely to come anywhere close to a podium finish in his struggling McLaren. The Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo finished second and third respectively last year, and should be in with a shout of challenging for a spot on the podium next weekend.

SINGAPORE – September 16

Hamilton: The four-time world champion drove a masterful race last year to seal his third win around the street circuit. But four wins since 2008 proves how much of a struggle it has been for Mercedes on a slow track that rather suits Red Bull or Ferrari.

Vettel: A dominant venue for the 31-year-old, who has triumphed four times in his last seven appearances at Marina Bay. Quickest in qualifying last year, he crashed out on the first lap and will be determined to avenge that disappointment.

Other drivers: Alonso, again, is a two-time winner here but has not clinched victory in Singapore in seven years, while Ricciardo has collected four successive podiums since 2014.

RUSSIA – September 30

Hamilton: Every previous race in Sochi has ended with a Mercedes victory, with the Englishman taking wins in 2014 and 2015. In 2017, he struggled with overheating and could only manage fourth place.

Vettel: He may not have won in Russia, but Vettel has three second place finishes from four races and will be relishing the prospect of pushing the Mercedes on a track that isn’t renowned for its overtaking.

Other drivers: Valtteri Bottas claimed a maiden win in Russia last year, while Kimi Raikkonen has podiumed in the last two races.

JAPAN – October 7

Hamilton: The Suzuka track is another Asian circuit that has been dominated by Mercedes in recent years, with four consecutive wins, three of which have been secured by the 33-year-old.

Vettel: The four-time world champion has recorded four wins in Japan – the same as Hamilton – but the Prancing Horse have not tasted victory there since Michael Schumacher in 2004. The German suffered a decisive championship blow last year when he was forced to retire with engine failure.

Other drivers: Verstappen placed second in 2016 and 2017 and should be a threat along with his Red Bull teammate Ricciardo who has struggled with form of late.

UNITED STATES – October 21

Hamilton: Possibly his most successful track with five wins from the last six races. His drive last year was one of his most commanding of the season.

Vettel: Won with Red Bull in 2013 but has only managed two second place finishes since then. The Ferrari, itself, has not won in Texas since Schumacher in 2006. Can they finally break their duck?

Other drivers: Ricciardo has scored two podiums at the Circuit of the Americas since 2014 and remains the other best finisher besides the two title rivals.

MEXICO – October 28

Hamilton: Although Mercedes have won the last two races in Mexico City, it is not normally a track suited to their W09 model with the thin air meaning the wings of their car produce less downforce.

Vettel: The Swiss resident has never finished on the podium in Mexico, with Ferrari’s last win coming way back in 1990 when Alain Prost was behind the wheel for the Maranello outfit. Vettel needs to try and inflict maximum damage here.

Other drivers: Verstappen scorched to victory last year, while Bottas delivered podium finishes in 2015 and 2017.

BRAZIL – November 11

Hamilton: Has only won once at Interlagos, but last year cannot be a true reflection as he had the title wrapped up already and didn’t look that bothered, despite starting from the pitlane and soaring to a formidable fourth place.

Vettel: Controlled the race from start to finish last year to deliver his third win in Brazil. If the title race is still alive at this point, the Heppenheim native needs to stamp his authority heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Other drivers: Bottas, Raikkonen and Verstappen have all finished on the podium over the last two years and should challenge for a similar position in this edition of the race.

ABU DHABI – November 25

Hamilton: It’s hard to see anything but a Mercedes win at Yas Marina Circuit, with Hamilton consistently quick around the sweeping UAE track. With three wins in the last seven years, the Monaco resident is sure to capitalise around the tight twists on the final section of the track.

Vettel: Ferrari have never won in the capital, with Vettel’s three scalps all coming during his time at Red Bull. But in the quicker SF70H model, the Italian side could benefit on the long straights.

Other drivers: Bottas and Raikkonen share one win each in Abu Dhabi, and are likely to finish on the podium at the season-ending race.